The Extended Hands Foundation, a non-governmental organization with sponsorship from NNPC/SNEPCo has completed the successful repair of 35 Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients in Kebbi State.

The pool effort took place at the Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development VVF Center in Gesse, Birin-Kebbi and received the co-operation of the Kebbi State Government.

Led by the founder Stephanie Linus, the Extended Hands Foundation team was received by the Governor of the state, Dr Abubakar Bagudu and the First Lady Dr Zainab Bagudu. They both paid visits to the women at the VVF Center, showing their support for the cause. All the repairs have been completed successfully and the women are recovering well.

Stephanie Linus, who spent some time with the women at the VVF Center during the course of the exercise, expressed her appreciation to the sponsors of the pool effort – NNPC/SNEPCo for investing in this cause. She also added that this was the second time the foundation was carrying out such an exercise in Kebbi state.

The team of medical staff was led by Dr Sa’ad Idris, a seasoned VVF Surgeon and former Commissioner for Health in Zamfara State with over 20 years experience in the field. He was assisted by Dr Abubakar Bawa, and other doctors and nurses at the VVF Center.

Against the backdrop of her Child Bride and Fistula advocacy movie, DRY, Stephanie Linus has been taking the message of restoration and hope to real women suffering from VVF. This pool effort goes a long way to show that DRY is more than just a movie, but a tool for touching the lives of women actually living with this condition.

Dr Abubakar Bawa chatting with some of the VVF PatientsA VVF Patient getting ready for her surgeryGovernor of Kebbi State Abubakar Bagudu on a visit to the VVF CenterGovernor of Kebbi State Abubakar Bagudu addressing some of the recipients of the free VVF surgeriesA VVF surgery being performed by Dr Sa’ad IdrisSome of the women at the VVF CenterGovernor of Kebbi State Abubakar Bagudu & Founder of Extended Hands Foundation Stephanie LinusFounder of Extended Hands Foundation Stephanie Linus with some Doctors and Nurses at the VVF CenterFounder of Extended Hands Foundation Stephanie Linus with some Doctors and Nurses at the VVF CenterFounder of Extended Hands Foundation Stephanie LinusFirst Lady of Kebbi State Dr. Zainab Bagudu & Founder of Extended Hands Foundation Stephanie Linus

Founder of Extended Hands Foundation Stephanie Linus, a VVF Patient after her surgery and First Lady of Kebbi State Dr. Zainab BaguduA VVF Patient giving Stephanie Linus hand-made beads designed by her with First Lady of Kebbi State Dr Zainab Bagudu

Items donated to the VVF Patients by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Kebbi State

Commissioner for Women Affairs in Kebbi State & Stephanie Linus presenting an economic empowerment item to a VVF Patient after her successful surgery